Category 1

USDA-Inspected  

• Multi-State Retail Sales Allowed

Your products are processed under USDA FSIS inspection.

You CAN sell:

• Retail cuts

• Boxes, bundles, subscriptions

• Whole/half animal

•  Value-added meats

• Wholesale 

You can advertise:

• Nationwide

Requirements

USDA-Inspected Meat Labels must include:

• USDA Mark of Inspection with establishment number

• FSIS-approved Product name

• Handling statement (e.g., “Keep Frozen”)

• Safe handling instructions for raw/partially cooked meat

• Net weight statement

• Ingredients list (if applicable)

• Allergen declaration  (if applicable)

• Name and address of the producer, manufacturer, or distributor

• Establishment Processor name & location 

• Nutrition Facts panel (when required under 9 CFR)

• Harvest/pack date

• Lot or batch number

• Farm name

• Storage life (“use or freeze by”)

Category 2

State-Inspected

• Arkansas sales ONLY

Your products are processed under the Arkansas State Meat Inspection Program.

You CAN sell retail ONLY in Arkansas:

• Retail cuts

• Bundles & boxes

• Value-added meats

You can advertise:

• Within Arkansas ONLY

Requirements

State-Inspected Meat Labels:

A compliant Arkansas State–Inspected meat label must include:

• Arkansas State Mark of Inspection with establishment number

• FSIS-compliant Product name

• Handling statement (e.g., “Keep Refrigerated,” “Keep Frozen”)

• Safe handling instructions for raw/partially cooked meat

• Net weight statement

• Ingredient statement (if more than one ingredient)

• Allergen declaration (e.g., “Contains: Soy”)

• Name and address of the producer, manufacturer, or distributor

• Processor name and location

• Nutrition Facts panel (when required under state/FSIS rules)

Important limitation:

State-inspected products may ONLY be sold within Arkansas. 

Online sales are allowed ONLY if the product is delivered inside the state.

Category 3

Custom-Exempt 

• LIVE Animal Sales ONLY

Your processing facility is custom-exempt.

• NO RETAIL CUTS

Federal law PROHIBITS resale of meat from custom plants.

You CAN offer:

• Live animals

• Whole / half / quarter shares

• Hanging weight pricing

You CANNOT offer:

• Packaged cuts

• Photos of vacuum-sealed CUT meat

• Phrases like “steaks,” “roasts,” “ground beef”

You can advertise:

• Arkansas only

Required disclaimer:

“This listing represents the sale of a live animal or a shared interest in a live animal. Processing occurs at a custom-exempt facility for personal household use only. Meat from custom-exempt facilities cannot be resold.”

Category 4

Poultry Exempt

• Arkansas sales ONLY

• Your a small poultry farms slaughtering under federal or state exemptions.

You CAN sell (depending on exemption type check the table BELOW:

• Whole birds

• Cuts 

• No interstate sales

You MUST:

• Follow exemption volume limits (check table at the bottom of the page)

• Label properly (“Exempt P.L. 90–492”)

• Sell directly to household consumers

• Use safe handling instructions

• You CANNOT:

• Use USDA inspection legend

• Ship out-of-state

Category 5

Farm Fresh Shell Egg

You CAN sell:

• Ungraded eggs

• Farm-washed or unwashed eggs (according to state rules)

• Direct to consumer within AR

Requirements:

• Name + Address

• Safe handling statement

• Must be kept at required temps

You CANNOT:

• Claim USDA grading unless officially graded

• Ship across state lines unless graded, washed, labeled per federal law.

Category 6

Dairy / Milk Value-Added

(Non-Pasteurized Restrictions Apply):

You CAN sell in AR:

• Raw cow or goat milk sold ON-FARM ONLY

• Cheese, butter, yogurt if made in an inspected facility

You MUST:

• Meet state dairy code requirements

• Use approved labeling (no health claims)

You CANNOT:

• Ship out-of-state

Category 7

Cottage Products

Non-potentially hazardous foods made in a home kitchen.

You CAN sell:

• Baked goods

• Candies

• Jams, jellies, preserves

• Dried herbs

• Dehydrated foods (non-perishable)

• Spices

• Some pickled foods

Requirements:

• Label must say:
  “This product was produced in a home kitchen not subject to inspection.”

• Name + Address

• Ingredients

• Allergens

You CANNOT:

Sell refrigerated items

• Sell anything requiring time/temperature controL

• Ship out of state

Category 8

Produce & Horticulture

You CAN sell:

• Whole, uncut fruits and vegetables

• Cut flowers, nursery plants, herbs for ornamental use

• Fresh unprocessed horticultural crops

Requirements:

• Certain produce may be subject to Good Agricultural Practices or Produce Safety Rule if you exceed risk thresholds — contact local Cooperative Extension for guidance.

You CANNOT sell (without inspection/permitting):

• Cut, sliced, or prepared produce intended for consumption (e.g., fruit salad)

• Juices unless processed and packaged in a permitted facility
  (safety rules apply to TCS products)

Category 9

Honey & Apiary Products 

You CAN sell:

• Honey (liquid, flavored, creamed)

• Beeswax

• Propolis

• Pollen

• Honeycomb

Requirements:

• Products must be labeled accuratel

• product identity

• producer info

• net weight

Honey may be sold:

• Directly to consumers at markets

• Through direct sales,

• Retail outlets

• NO ADH permit required for honey alone under Food Freedom. Arkansas Department of Health

You CANNOT :

• Sell imitation honey misrepresented as pure honey (AR labeling laws apply).

Category 10

Non-Food Products:

You CAN sell:

• Handmade soaps 

• Lotions & balms (if not making cosmetic claims)

• Essential oils

• Fiber goods 

• Leather goods

• Woodcrafts

• Beeswax candles

• Handmade household items

• Farm art & photography

• Apparel, merch, decor

• Garden supplies 

Requirements:

• No medical or health claims (“heals eczema,” etc.)

• Ingredient transparency strongly encouraged

You CANNOT:

• Sell items containing restricted chemicals

• Make unapproved drug/cosmetic claims

Category 11

Seeds, Starts, & Gardening Products 

You CAN sell:

• Vegetable, flower, and herb seeds

• Seedlings, transplants, plant starts

• Bulbs, tubers, and ornamental plants

• Compost, soil amendments (non-regulated)

• Gardening supplies and tools

Requirements:

• Truth in labeling required (variety, origin, germination percentage where applicable)

• Noxious weed seed rules may apply under plant board regulations

You CANNOT:

• Sell seeds or plants intended for food that are misbranded or not labeled truthfully

Category 12

Aquaculture, Fish & Water-Based Products 

You CAN sell:

• Live fish (food or stocking)

• Whole, fresh fish sold direct to consumer

• Farm-raised fish (catfish, tilapia, bait fish)

• Ornamental fish

• Aquatic plants (non-invasive)

Where they may be sold:

• On-farm

• Farmers markets

• Direct-to-consumer sales

• To licensed processors or buyers 

Requirements:

• MUST comply with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) regulations

• Aquaculture registration may be required

• Transport and sale of live fish subject to species rules

• Food fish must meet applicable health and handling standards

• Labeling required if packaged

You CANNOT:

• Sell wild-caught game fish without proper authorization

• Sell processed fish products without proper licensing

• Transport or sell prohibited or invasive species

• Misrepresent farm-raised vs wild-caught fish

Category 13

Farm Services

You can offer:

• Farm tours

• Workshops

• On-farm skill sharing (fencing, animal handling basics, planting days) 

• Equipment

• Seasonal labor assistance (non-employee, project-based) 

• Equipment operators (tractor, skid steer, excavator, hay equipment)

• Custom work providers (baling, planting, spraying* where permitted)  

• Hauling services 

• Land preparation and maintenance services 

• Classes (soapmaking, gardening, butchery demos)

• Agritourism events

Requirements:

• Liability waivers recommended

• Compliance with local zoning

You CANNOT:

• Offer regulated food without proper licensing

• Process, prepare, or sell food without required licensing or inspection

• Provide veterinary, medical, or professional services without credentials

• Operate outside zoning or land-use allowances

• Represent services as certified, inspected, or approved unless verified